Diamondbacks: We want more control over future of Chase Field

The Arizona Diamondbacks could gain greater control of Chase Field if the ballpark is transferred from the Maricopa County Stadium District to the city of Phoenix, as the team looks at major renovations down the road.

The issue: the ballpark, funded with a special Maricopa County tax that expired in 1997, is controlled by the stadium district, which oversees ballpark improvements via a budget funded by the team, which pays $4 million annually for rent and capital expenses. The team wants to see ownership transfer to the city of Phoenix and basically take control of the ballpark, including responsibility for any upgrades. The team has already put together a laundry list of improvements — a decreased capacity, upgraded concessions and concessions — totaling $125 million; in addition, the team wants control over nongame events as part of a new lease. (The Diamondbacks are currently halfway through a 30-year lease.)

2019 Ballparks
New Amarillo (TX) ballpark
New Atlanta Braves Florida spring-training facility
New Fayetteville (NC) ballpark
New High Point (NC) ballpark
New University of Kentucky ballpark
New Waco (TX) ballpark

2020 Ballparks
New Kannapolis (NC) ballpark

2021 Ballparks
New Lafayette (IN) ballpark

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